Functional shoe

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a functional shoe, comprising a foot arch support, wherein said foot arch support includes a support body accommodated and fixed in a shoe body, a slider tightened to the support body by a screw, and a contact member which is coupled to the top of the slider and projects toward the inside of the shoe to contact the arch of the foot. The slider moves in the upward and downward directions by means of the rotation of the contact member.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of pending International Patent Application PCT/KR2010/000815 filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which designates the United States and claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0011039 filed on Feb. 11, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoe having functionality, and more particularly, to a shoe having the functionality of a height-adjustable arch support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the general functions of shoes is alleviating stress relayed to the spine and other body parts from body weight-induced impacts while walking.

So-called “3-step” walking is a well-known, purportedly optimal walking method that involves stepping on the ground in the sequence of heel-sole-toes and moving forward.

However, typical shoes employ flat soles that are prohibitive of the 3-step walking method, so that body weight-induced impacts are relayed to the spine and other body parts while walking, stressing the torso, shoulders, neck, etc., causing not only discomfort or pain, but also deformation of toes and progression toward flat-footedness from deficient support of foot joints, and are thus manifested with a wide array of intrinsic limitations such as increased fatigue.

To solve these limitations, Korean Patent Registration No. 239854 proposes a shoe with cutout portions at the front and rear of the sole, respectively, in order to make 3-step walking natural and substantially reduce fatigue, while providing the benefits of acupressure and improved blood circulation. However, limitations exist in that arch support is lacking and wearers experience difficulty in maintaining balance due to reduced ground contacting area at the rear.

Korean Patent Registration No. 536050 proposes a shoe that enables exact 3-step walking, with a rear sole section stepped at two levels to provide a first ground contact surface and a second ground contact surface, and having the sole surface at boundaries between the front and rear sole sections and between the first and second ground contact surfaces recessed a predetermined depth upward. However, the limitation of the foot arch not being supported is again inherent.

To solve these limitations, Korean Patent Registration No. 851537 proposes a shoe sole including a front portion, a rear portion, and a connecting portion that connects the front portion and the rear portion, for naturally maintaining a rolling motion of the foot, and distributing load from body weight in order to prevent ailments and deformation. The connecting portion has an arch support inserted therein to correctly support the arch and induce proper development of the wearer's foot when walking. The connecting portion has the arch support inserted therein, and the arch support is disposed from the inner end to the center of the connecting portion.

Because the arch support is predetermined in height, however, it involves the limitation of being unable to fit all wearers who have different sized arches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having functionality with a height-adjustable arch support.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a supporting member received and fixed in a body of the shoe; an insert screw-coupled to the supporting member; and a contacting member coupled at a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert is raised and lowered by rotation of the contacting member.

The supporting member may be cylindrical and define screw threads in an inside thereof, and the insert may be inserted inside the supporting member.

The contacting member may be formed of a rubber material in a semispherical shape.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a supporting member received and fixed in a body of the shoe; an insert screw-coupled to the supporting member; and a contacting member separably coupled at a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert separable from the contacting member is raised and lowered by being rotated.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a cylindrical housing received and fixed in a body of the shoe; a cylindrical insert inserted in the housing and raised and lowered; a bolt inserted and screw-coupled in the insert; and a contacting member coupled to a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert is raised and lowered by rotating the bolt from an outside through a floor of the shoe body.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a cylindrical housing received and fixed in a body of the shoe; a cylindrical insert inserted in the housing and raised and lowered; a height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the insert; and a contacting member coupled to a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert is raised and lowered by adjusting a length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from the insert.

The contacting member may be formed in a shape similar to a foot arch, and the arch support may further include a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the contacting member that couples to the insert, and inserts in the shoe body.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a contacting member projecting inward in the shoe to contact a foot arch; a cylindrical insert coupled to a reverse surface of the contacting member; and a height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the insert, wherein a body of the shoe defines a receptacle for receiving the arch support, and a supporting niche defined into and around a sidewall of the receptacle at the mouth of the receptacle, a perimeter of the contacting member being forcibly inserted in the supporting niche, and the arch support is adjusted in height by adjusting a length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from the insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an arch support applied to a shoe having functionality according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the arch support in FIG. 1, each of which is a sectional view and a perspective view.

FIG. 3 a sectional view of an arch support according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an arch support according to a third embodiment of the present invention, each of which a perspective view and a sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arch support according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an arch support according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an arch support modified from the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an arch support applied to a shoe having functionality according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an outsole 100 is disposed at the bottom, and a midsole 130, an insole board 140, and an insole 150 are stacked on the outsole 100.

According to the present invention, receptacles 142, 132, and 102 are defined corresponding to a wearer's foot arch and communicate the insole board 140 with the midsole 130 and the outsole 100, and an arch support 200 is inserted sequentially into the receptacles 142, 132, and 102.

An opening 152 is defined in a portion of the insole 150 that is disposed uppermost to correspond to the arch support 200, and a contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 may be exposed. Alternatively, an opening may not be defined to provide a tidier exterior. In the latter case, the portion of the insole 150 corresponding to the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 may be thinly formed to heighten contacting sensation with the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 or facilitate elevation of the contacting member 230.

FIG. 2 shows the arch support in FIG. 1, each of which is a sectional view and a perspective view.

The arch support 200 is formed of a cylindrical housing 210 defining screw threads 212 in an inner sidewall thereof, an insert 220 defining screw threads 222 in an outer sidewall thereof and being screw-coupled to the screw threads 212 of the housing 210, and the contacting member 230 coupled to the top of the insert 220.

A stopper 214 may be formed on the outer wall of the housing 210 to prevent rotation of the housing 210, and the housing 210 may be formed of a metal or plastic material. The housing 210 of this configuration, as described above, may be press-fitted and fixed in the receptacles 142, 132, and 102. A holding niche 102 a may be defined in the outer sole 100 to hold the stopper 214.

Also, the insert 220 may be formed of a metal or plastic material in a cylindrical columnar shape. An approximately semispherical head 224 is integrally formed at the upper portion of the insert 220 and coupled to the contacting member 230. The coupling of the insert 220 and the contacting member 230 may be performed with an adhesive to be completely bonded or coupled to enable the contacting member 230 to be separated from the insert 220.

As a portion that directly contacts a wearer's foot arch, the contacting member 230 may be formed of silicon or rubber material in a semispherical shape with projections 232 formed on the entire surface thereof. The perimeter of the contacting member 230 may form a graded portion 231 that is gradually graded to a thin, flexible edge that forms a minimal gap with the insole board 130.

To assemble the above-structured arch support 200, with the outsole 100, midsole 130, and insole board 140 stacked, the housing 210 is press-fitted and fixed in sequence in the receptacles 142, 132, and 102.

Then, after the insert 220 having the contacting member 230 coupled to the top thereof is inserted in the housing 210, the contacting member 230 is rotated to screw-couple the screw threads 222 of the insert 220 with the screw threads 212 of the housing 210 and lower the insert 220.

When the insert 220 descends to its lowermost position, the insole 150 is positioned on top to complete the assembly.

After a wearer purchases a finished shoe assembled and manufactured thusly, the wearer can customize the height of the arch support 200 to fit his/her arch size. Specifically, by grasping and rotating the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 by hand, the insert 220 screw-coupled to the housing 210 can be raised and fixed at a height suitable for the wearer's arch size.

Through this configuration, an arch support of a suitable height can be provided, regardless of a wearer's arch size.

While the shape of the contacting member 230 of the arch support has been exemplarily described above as semispherical, it may be made in various shapes including semi-cylindrical and elliptical semispherical shapes, or in a shape similar to that of an average foot arch. The height or shape of the projections 232 on the contacting member 230 may also be varied to increase acupressure effects.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3 a sectional view of an arch support according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The second embodiment may be applied when performing height adjustment by rotating a contacting member 330 itself proves difficult.

Referring to FIG. 3, an insert 240 is coupled to a surface of a contacting member 330 having a shape (refer to FIG. 4) similar to an actual foot arch. The insert 240 is cylindrical with screw threads 242 defined in the inside of its sidewall, and has a head 244 at an upper portion thereof that is coupled and fixed to the contacting member 330.

A bolt 250 is inserted and screw-coupled in the insert 240, a slot 254 is defined in the head 251 of the bolt 250 so that the bolt 250 may be rotated using the slot 254, and screw threads 252 of the bolt 250 and screw threads 242 of the insert 240 are screw-coupled to raise the insert 240.

A through-hole 216 is defined in the center of the undersurface of the housing 210 corresponding to the slot 254 on the head 251 of the bolt 250, and a through-hole (not shown) is also defined in the outsole 100 corresponding to the through-hole 216, enabling the slot 254 of the bolt 250 to be accessed from outside.

A stopper ring 216 may be inserted around the inner sidewall of the housing 210 to restrict elevation of the bolt 250.

To describe the operation of the above-structured arch support, the bolt 250 is rotated when a wearer uses a screwdriver, etc. to rotate the slot 254 in the head 251 of the bolt through the through-hole defined in the floor of the outsole 100. Here, because the insert 240 coupled to the non-rotating contacting member 330 does not rotate, the height of the arch support is increased or reduced by the raising and lowering of the bolt 250 through rotation of the same.

In the second embodiment, when the housing 210 is configured as a cylinder without a bottom, there is no need for a separate through-hole 216.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows an arch support according to a third embodiment of the present invention, each of which a perspective view and a sectional view.

This embodiment, like the second embodiment, may be applied in cases where rotating the contacting member 330 itself for height adjustment proves difficult.

Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of supporting rods 333 and 334 is formed on the reverse surface of the contacting member 330 having a shape similar to an actual foot arch. The distance between the rods 333 and 334 may be greater than the diameter of the housing 210.

According to the present embodiment, guide holes 134 and 135 are defined in the midsole 130, in which the supporting rods 333 and 334 are inserted.

As in the first embodiment, the insert 220 is cylindrical and has an approximately semispherical head 224 integrally formed with the top of the insert 220 and is separably coupled to the contacting member 330.

To describe the operation of the above-structured arch support, after a wearer separates the contacting member 330 from the head 224 of the insert 220, the wearer adjusts the height by grasping the head 224 of the insert 220 and rotating and inserting it in the housing 210.

Then, after the supporting rods 333 and 334 of the contacting member 330 are inserted in the guide holes 134 and 135, pressure is exerted to couple the contacting member 330 and the head 224 of the insert 220.

Through this configuration, the supporting rods 333 and 334 prevent the contacting member 330 from rotating.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arch support according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment is a modified example of the fourth embodiment, and can be applied to cases where height adjustment through rotating the contacting member itself proves difficult.

Referring to FIG. 5, an insert 240 is coupled to a reverse surface of a contacting member 330 formed in a shape similar to an actual foot arch. The insert 240 is cylindrically shaped with screw threads 242 defined in its inner sidewall, and is coupled and fixed at the top to the contacting member 330.

A height adjusting tab 260 is inserted and screw-coupled in the insert 240, and the height adjusting tab 260 may be rotated to adjust its projecting length from the insert 240.

Then, the insert 240 that has been adjusted in its projecting length on a preinstalled housing 210 may be inserted to adjust the height of the arch support 200. That is, because the projecting length of the height adjusting tab 260 is ultimately determined by its height within the housing 210, the height is thus adjusted.

Supporting rods 333 and 334 of the contacting member 330 are inserted in guide holes 134 and 135 of a midsole 130 to prevent rotation of the contacting member 330 while a shoe is worn.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an arch support according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment depicts the configuration of the fourth embodiment from which the housing 210 is removed.

Referring to FIG. 6, an arch support 200, as in the fourth embodiment, has an insert 240 coupled to the reverse surface of a contacting member 230, and the insert 240 has screw threads defined in its inner sidewall, in which a height adjusting tab 260 is inserted and screw-coupled. The height adjusting tab 260 may be rotated to project from the insert 240 and be adjusted in length.

The arch support 200 is housed in a receptacle 132 of a midsole 130, and a supporting niche 136 is defined annularly into and around the sidewall at the mouth of the receptacle 132.

The periphery of the contacting member 230 constituting the arch support 200 is forcibly press-fitted and fixed in the supporting niche 136.

Accordingly, after the projecting length of the height adjusting tab 260 of the arch support 200 is adjusted, the periphery of the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 is forcibly inserted and mounted in the supporting niche 136 of the receptacle 132 of the midsole 130.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an arch support modified from the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

This modified embodiment applies a housing 210 to the structure of the fifth embodiment. Thus, referring to FIG. 7, a housing 210 with a flange 218 projecting therefrom is inserted at a bottom of a receptacle 132 of a midsole 130, then the projecting length of a height adjusting tab 260 is adjusted, after which the insert 240 is inserted in the housing 210, and then the periphery of the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 is forcibly inserted and mounted in the supporting niche 136 of the receptacle 132 of the midsole 130.

According to this modified embodiment, because the insert 240 is reliably supported by the housing 210, movement of the arch support 200 while walking can be prevented. Also, by applying the flange 218, a larger area can be used for support and the size of the housing 210 can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention.

For example, in a shoe of the type provided with only an outsole and not a midsole, the receptacle that holds the housing may be defined only in the outsole. Accordingly, the portion in which an arch support is mounted may be collectively referred to as a shoe body. Also, a stopper, etc. may be omitted, and an adhesive or other means may easily be used instead to fix the arch support.

In addition, as opposed to the above embodiments, the screw threads may be formed in the outer sidewall of the housing, and the insert may be cylindrically configured to obtain the same results.

According to the above configuration, an arch support of a suitable height can be provided, regardless of the wearer's arch size.

Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the above embodiments, and should be interpreted on the basis of the appended claims below.

While the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support, the arch support comprising: a supporting member inserted and fixed at a position corresponding to a foot arch in a body of the shoe; a slider screw-coupled to the supporting member, to be raised and lowered through rotation thereof; and a contacting member coupled at a top of the slider to project inward in the shoe and contact the foot arch.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the supporting member is cylindrical and defines screw threads in an inside thereof, and the slider is inserted inside the supporting member.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the contacting member is formed of a rubber material in a semispherical shape.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the contacting member is separably coupled to the slider, and the rotation of the slider separate from the contacting member raises and lowers the slider.
 5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the contacting member is formed in a shape corresponding to the foot arch.
 6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the arch support further comprises a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the contacting member that couples to the slider, and inserts in the shoe body.
 7. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support, the arch support comprising: a cylindrical housing inserted and fixed at a position corresponding to a foot arch in a body of the shoe; a bolt fixed in the housing and including a head at a bottom thereof; a cylindrical slider inserted in the housing to be slidable and raised and lowered, and having the bolt screw-coupled therein; and a contacting member coupled to a top of the slider to project inward in the shoe and contact the foot arch, wherein the slider is raised and lowered by rotating the head of the bolt from outside through a floor of the shoe body.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the arch support further comprises a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the contacting member that couples to the slider, and inserts in the shoe body.
 9. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support, the arch support comprising: a cylindrical housing inserted and fixed at a position corresponding to a foot arch in a body of the shoe; a cylindrical slider inserted in the housing to be slidable and raised and lowered; a height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the slider; and a contacting member coupled to a top of the slider to project inward in the shoe and contact the foot arch, wherein the slider is raised and lowered by adjusting a length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from the slider.
 10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the arch support further comprises a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the contacting member that couples to the slider, and inserts in the shoe body.
 11. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support, the arch support comprising: a contacting member projecting inward in the shoe to contact a foot arch; a cylindrical slider coupled to a reverse surface of the contacting member; and a height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the slider, wherein a body of the shoe defines a receptacle for receiving the arch support, and a supporting niche defined into and around a sidewall of the receptacle at a mouth of the receptacle, a perimeter of the contacting member being forcibly inserted in the supporting niche, and the arch support is adjusted in height by adjusting a length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from the slider. 